Paolo Fresu: Kind of Porgy and Bess (2002)

Paolo Fresu – Trumpet

Nguyê Lê – Guitars

Antonello Salis – Fender Rhodes, Acoustic Piano, Fisarmonica

Furio Di Castri – Acoustic & Electric bass

Roberto Gatto – Drums

Dhafer Youssef – Voice & Oud

Tracks:

Gone, Gone, Gone

Oh Bess, Oh, Where’s My Bess

I Got Plenty O’ Nuttin’

Oh, Doctor Jesus, Don’t You Be Downhearted

Fisherman, Strawberry And Devil Crab

My Man’s Gone Now

Lo, Bess goin’ To The Picnic

I loves You, Porgy

Bess, You Is My Woman Now

Summertime

The Buzzard Song

Clara, Clara, Don’t You Be Downhearted

What You Want Wid Bess

Ever since hearing the Miles Davis and Gil Evans 1958 recording of George and Ira Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess,’ the internationally known trumpeter Paolo Fresu planned someday to arrange his own interpretation of that historic work. This he did last year with ‘Kind of Porgy and Bess’ and his influences were not confined just to Miles’ work. In his notes he also mentions listening to pieces of the same opera performed by Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald. Whereas Evans used a nineteen-piece orchestra here we have only a sextet and to complete his version Fresu has also included parts of the original that are completely new to the jazz repertoire.

It is a bold venture and takes considerable experience to make something new and appealing out of the twentieth century classic opera and that is why very few have attempted it. Most tracks are successful and two that appealed were The Buzzard Song and the very plaintive I Loves You, Porgy.

This is contemporary music, well performed, by talented musicians. It will no doubt attract considerable interest. Overall, Paolo Fresu has in his interpretation given credit to the original work. The influence Miles Davis has had on his career is very evident but at the same time refreshing to listen to. This is the first time I have heard these musicians and I thoroughly enjoyed their work.

Jack Ashby

Paolo Fresu Devil Quartet: Stanley Music (2007)

Paolo Fresu Devil Quartet: Stanley Music (2007)

Paolo Fresu (trumpet, flugelhorn)

Bebo Ferra (acoustic & electric guitars)

Paolino Dalla Porta (double-bass)

Stefano Bagnoli (drums)

1. Another Road to Timbuctu

2. Il Tempo del Sogno

3. Calédonian Flowers

4. Moto Perpetuo

5. Giovedì Listen

6. Dou Dou

7. Medley: Devil's Game/Labbra Bianche

8. L' Afflato Prodromo del Misantropo

9. Il Diavolo E l'Acquasanta

10. Qualche Anno Dopo

Fresu (trumpet, flugelhorn, multi-effects) and co-leader Bebo Ferra (acoustic & electric guitars, multi-effects) are nothing short of stunning here - and Paolino Dalla Porta (double-bass) and Stefano Bagnoli (drums) do much more than simply lay the groundwork to support the soloists, constantly illustrating that they're equal members of this fine quartet. These players have worked together in the past in various settings, and know each other well - a familiarity that makes for almost telepathic communication. Fresu and Ferra, from time to time, are both utilising amazing effects with their instruments - it's hard to tell if there's any overdubbing going on, or if they're managing the multiple layers of sound through electronic means. I suspect it's the latter - the tracks have a `live' feel that's undeniable. Whichever the case, it's extremely effective and contributes enormously to the energy and depth of the performances on this disc, never coming across as `gimmicky' in the least. 

Kicking right in with `Another road to Timbuctu', the opener, the band plays with a bright fire that never goes out, even on the more laid-back, relaxed numbers which temper the energy level thoughtfully. I've heard Ferra play before as well (alongside Fresu on some occasions), and my lingering impression had been of a careful artisan creating incredibly beautiful music on an acoustic guitar. There are tunes here where that is the case - but when the band begins to really cook, he wields the electric guitar and guitar synthesizer to generate some pretty impressive bolts of lightning...but that beauty is always there, never sacrificing melody for volume. 

Fresu's trumpet playing is almost beyond description. I remember reading somewhere that when he played a festival in Europe in the early 80s as a virtual unknown, the great Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava heard him and was astonished at his command of the instrument. His tone is clean and strong - an especially difficult feat on quieter passages - and his breath control is phenomenal. There are several points during this album when I find myself almost holding my breath, waiting for him to end a note - some of them seem to go on forever.